THE KABBALAH OF TIME:
Kahane and Wainer explain that the calendar is the master key to unlock the hidden rationale behind the formal structure of ancient sacred texts, as well as to understand basic mystical concepts. When comprehended within the context of the Jewish calendar, these works reveal the spiritual energy of each week, serving as a practical guide for self-analysis and development.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Week 27 (From the Book): To Purify Ourselves in order to Change

The cow is saying, "Rejoice to the Lord over our strength, trumpet to the Lord of Jacob!"
(Psalms 81:2)

Rabbi Akiva
would say:
Jesting and frivolity accustom a person to promiscuity. Tradition is a safety
fence to Torah, tithing a safety fence to wealth, vows a safety fence for
abstinence; a safety fence for wisdom is silence.

He would also say: Beloved is man, for he was
created in the image [of G-d]; it is a sign of even greater love that it has
been made known to him that he was created in the image, as it is says,
"For in the image of G-d, He made man" (Genesis 9:6). Beloved are Israel,
for they are called children of G-d; it is a sign of even greater love that it
has been made known to them that they are called children of G-d, as it is
stated: "You are children of the L-rd your G-d" (Deuteronomy 14:1).
Beloved are Israel, for they were given a precious article; it is a sign of
even greater love that it has been made known to them that they were given a
precious article, as it is stated: "I have given you a good purchase; My
Torah, do not forsake it" (Proverbs 4:2).

All is foreseen, and freedom of choice is
granted. The world is judged with goodness, but in accordance with the amount
of man's positive deeds.

He would also say: Everything is placed in
pledge, and a net is spread over all the living. The store is open, the
storekeeper extends credit, the account-book lies open, the hand writes, and
all who wish to borrow may come and borrow. The collection-officers make their
rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his
knowledge. Their case is well founded, the judgment is a judgment of truth, and
ultimately, all is prepared for the feast.

Yesod shebeNetzach(foundation
and firmness within the context of victory and endurance)

As we arrive at week twenty-seven,
even closer to Passover, it is the turn of the large pure (kosher) domestic
animal to proclaim that we rejoice to the G-d of Jacob, the source of our
strength. (Psalm 81:2)The large
pure domestic animal is seen as a reference to the cow. The Jewish people are
called by the names Israel and Jacob. Jacob is usually the name used when we
are in a more fragile, humble state. When we are feeling weak, we must rely
even more on Hashem as the source of
our strength. This is also the week of the yahrzeit
of the Rebbe Rashab, on the 2nd of Nissan. The Rebbe Rashab’s leadership took place during a
tumultuous time in Jewish history, when the Jewish people were in a
particularly fragile state (like the song of the cow), and faced the harsh
anti-religious oppression of the Bolsheviks in Russia.

The cow also represents the spiritual
exile and impurity of Egypt, embodied by the golden calf. Conversely, the cow
also represents the purification through the Parah Adumah, the Red Heifer. The Red Heifer had to be completely
red, pure and complete/whole (tamim).[1]
The Red Heifer's ashes were used for purification of the highest form of
impurity - contact with the dead. This purification process had to be performed
by every Jew that found himself in a state of impurity in order to bring the
Passover offering during this month. It
is for this reason that we read a special Torah portion about the Red Heifer,
known as Parashat Parah, in a few
weeks before this holiday. The Rebbe Rashab also is a tremendous example of
purity. He established Tomchei Tmimim
yeshiva system – its students were known as tmimim,
the pure, wholesome ones. The Rebbe Rashab’s last ma’amar was about the ultimate destruction of Amalek and the husks
of impurity (kelipah).

The number twenty-seven is formed by
the Hebrew letters kaf and zayin, which form the word zach, “pure.” In preparation for
Passover, we must purify ourselves physically and spiritually, returning to
G-d, and eagerly awaiting his redemption.

The Pirkei Avot for week twenty-seven is found in the lessons of Rabbi
Akiva. Rabbi Akiva is known for his many popular sayings, one of which is
directly related to the purification of the people of Israel. Rabbi Akiva
states how praiseworthy are the Jewish people, whose purification comes
directly from our Father in Heaven.[2] In the Pirkei
Avot for this week, Rabbi Akiva first describes how to maintain one’s
purity, by not engaging in jest. He also describes how dear is man, since he
was created in the image of G-d, and how beloved are the People of Israel, who
are called G-d’s children and were given the Torah. Rabbi Akiva’s section in Pirkei Avot includes several other
fundamental and profound teachings that serve as the intellectual foundation of
the Jewish religion. Similarly, the teachings of the Rebbe Rashab serve as
intellectual foundation of Chabad philosophy.

Rabbi Akiva ends his words in Pirkei Avot stating that everything is
prepared for the feast. In Nissan,
too, everything is prepared for the feast of Passover. There is no one better
than Rabbi Akiva to be sharing his lessons during the month of Nissan, given that he is one of the
greatest examples of complete humility and self-sacrifice (qualities related to
this month and to Passover). This sage began to study Torah at the age of 40,
sitting silently and humbly alongside small children... and the result? Rabbi
Akiva became one of the greatest Torah scholars of all time. Rabbi Akiva’s name
also has the same root as the name Jacob. Both names come from the word eikev, which means heel. This is in
contrast to the name Israel, which contains the same letters as Li Rosh, “mine is the head.” While the
head is the highest part of the body, the heel is the lowest.

This week’s sefirot combination results in yesod
shebenetzach, that is, foundation within determination, victory and
redemption. This is perhaps the most prominent feature of Jewish education
during our long exile. Nissan is when
we were liberated from Egypt, physically and spiritually, and when we will be
liberated from the current exile as well.

The lesson learned from the cow is
that in the journey to make our tikkun
- our spiritual correction, the very reason why we came into the world - G-d is
the source of our strength. The cow sings about Jacob, who worked hard all his
life to overcome the obstacles laid out before him along the way. Only after
much perseverance and determination did Jacob manage to overcome these
difficulties and become Israel. Each of us also undergoes changes and progress,
even if we do not realize it. In this process, G-d is always by our side.

[1] The word tamim is related to the word tam, simple/pure, which is also
connected to Jacob. In his early years, Jacob is called an “Ish Tam Yoshev Ohalim,” a pure/simple
man who dwells in the tents (of study). (Genesis 25:27)

Rebbe Yisrael Taub and his son, Shaul Yedidya Elazer Taub, the First and Second Rebbes of Modzitz

Follow by Email

The date also marks the yahrzeit of emmissaries Gavriel Noach and Rivky Holzberg, who died "Al Kidush Hashem" (sanctifying G-d's Holy Name), as well as the Rebbe's miraculous recovery from a massive heart attack.

eBook

Burial Place of the Mitteler Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch

His yahrzeit (and birthday) is on Tuesday, the 9th of Kislev. The following day, the 10th of Kislev, is celebrated as the day of his personal redemption.